Wrexham pensioner admits cruelty to ponies after 45 horses seized

A Welsh horse owner has admitted seven counts of causing unnecessary suffering to horses, two of failing to ensure horses’ needs and one of obstructing an investigation.

Joint enforcement action between Wrexham Council, the police, the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare (then the International League for the Protection of Horses) resulted in the seizure of 45 horses “suffering from neglect” from 72-year-old Mary O’Leary’s land in Pen-y-Cae on 12-13 January this year.

A dead horse had been found on the premises in December.

The prosecution at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Thursday, 19 June was brought under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and sentencing was deferred for reports until 10 July.